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Award-winning creamy pumpkin pie recipe has a secret ingredient to make it extra special! This is the best pumpkin pie recipe and won the best pumpkin pie on the internet!
The BEST PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE
I spent most of my life making the pumpkin pie recipe on the back of Libby’s pumpkin can. It is a yummy recipe and produces a classic pumpkin pie. But it might just be a tad boring. Most of my kids reach for any other pie but pumpkin so I set out to change it.
Last year, I made a simple perfect pumpkin pie using sweetened condensed milk. This year I decided to up the ante and really change up the classic pumpkin pie recipe. The result was pumpkin pie perfection.
Why you will love this Award Winning Pumpkin Pie:
- This isn’t your typical pumpkin pie recipe! Even people who say they don’t like pumpkin pie, actually love this pumpkin pie recipe. It is the secret ingredients that set it apart. It truly is the best pumpkin pie!
- You can make it ahead of time! Worried about preparing the entire Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day? You can make this pumpkin pie several days ahead of time and just keep it in the refrigerator.
Ingredients:
This isn’t like the recipe on the back of the Libby’s can of pumpkin — it is BETTER!
So what makes this the best pumpkin pie recipe? Two ingredients — Cream Cheese and Butter. Instead of using evaporated canned milk, we add cream cheese and butter. Why have I not thought of this before? The creamy cheese and butter add a touch of rich creaminess to the pumpkin pie.
The cream cheese and butter also soften the strong pumpkin flavor. It is still a perfectly pumpkin flavored pie but is much creamier than the original. When paired with a buttery flaky pie crust and fresh whipped cream, it is the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert.
- Canned Pumpkin — use your favorite pure pumpkin puree. You want to use just pure pumpkin and NOT the pumpkin pie mix.
- Cream Cheese — this cream cheese makes the pumpkin pie so perfectly creamy. Use full-fat cream cheese and make sure it is softened to mix more easily with the pumpkin.
- Butter — this adds so much warmth and flavor to the pie and pairs perfectly with the pumpkin.
- Vanilla Extract — use a good-quality pure vanilla extract in this recipe.
- Eggs — this recipe calls for large eggs.
- Powdered Sugar — helps to create a smooth, silky texture while sweetening the pumpkin. If you want it less sweet, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar.
- Spices: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Salt — these spices bring out the warm flavors of the pumpkin.
- All Butter Pie Crust — this homemade pie crust recipe is so simple, using only 4 ingredients but is flaky and delicious.
Pumpkin Pie Tip:
To make it extra creamy, soften the cream cheese to allow it to mix well with the pumpkin. You can mix it in a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, in a blender, or food processor.
How to make the Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe:
- Start off by making the pie crust. I suggest making my homemade butter pie crust recipe. If you make it in a food processor, it is even easier! Roll out the pie dough and press into a 9-inch deep dish pie pan. Flute the edges. Cover and place in the refrigerator or freezer while making the filling.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese for 5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add pumpkin and whip for another 5 minutes.
- Add melted butter (make sure it isn’t too hot!) and vanilla and mix for 1 minute longer. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix all together.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pour the pie filling into the deep dish pie crust and place the pie plate on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes and then LOWER the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 42-48 minutes. Watch the crust carefully to make sure it isn’t becoming too brown. Cover the pie with foil to prevent browning.
- Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour and then chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
- Serve with freshly whipped cream.
Baking Tip:
To prevent the crust from browning, place some foil over the top of the pie. Foil can stick on the pumpkin pie filling so spray with non-stick cooking spray and lightly tent the foil on top of the pie. Another option is to place the piece of foil on the rack above the pumpkin pie.
How do I know when the pumpkin pie is done baking?
The pumpkin pie will slightly jiggle in the center of the pie. It needs to cool to room temperature and then be refrigerated. It needs time to cool at room temperature or it will sink in the middle if placed straight from the oven to the refrigerator. When it is chilled, it will set-up and become firmer.
How to avoid cracks in a pumpkin pie?
This is a popular question about how to keep your pumpkin pie from cracking. I will share some tips on how to avoid cracks.
Preventing cracks in a pumpkin pie recipe largely revolves around controlling the baking process:
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can cause cracks. The edges of the pie should be set, but the center can still be slightly wobbly when you take it out. It will continue to cook as it cools.
- Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes: Rapid changes in temperature can cause cracking. After baking, let the pie cool slowly on a wire rack.
- Shield Edges: Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil or a pie shield for the first part of the baking to prevent them from overbrowning.
FAQ’s about pumpkin pie:
Yes! You need to chill the pumpkin pie to allow the pumpkin pie filling to become firm. I suggest chilling in the refrigerator only after the pumpkin pie comes to room temperature. Make sure to allot enough time for adequate chilling time.
You can skip this step! Since this pie crust has a good amount of butter, it will still end up perfectly flaky. If you would like to pre-bake your pie crust, I suggest filling it with pie weights and baking for about 15 minutes before pouring in your pumpkin pie filling.
This Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe actually just won 1st Place in the Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off competition — Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off. What a fun surprise!
This receives rave reviews every year from people who say that it is the ONLY Pumpkin Pie Recipe they will ever make again. It is that good. This is the best pumpkin pie with a tender, flaky crust and perfectly spiced pumpkin filling
My son, Carson, who will NOT even touch pumpkin pie, is in hog heaven with this pie.
What pie crust should I use?
The best pumpkin pie recipe starts with a homemade all-butter pie crust. Click here for the recipe. I include step-by-step instructions on how to make butter pie crust. I use a deep-dish pie pan for this recipe since there is plenty of filling.
There’s nothing like homemade whipped cream. It begins with heavy whipped cream, whipped until soft peaks form. Powdered sugar is added to sweeten it.
Popular Pumpkin Recipes:
Find the recipe for the Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe here:
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The Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Pumpkin Pie Filling:
- (1) 8-ounce pkg. Cream Cheese softened
- (1) 15-ounce can Pure Pumpkin Puree
- 1/2 cup Butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- 3 large Eggs
- 3 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar * (may reduce to 2 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg or 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- All-Butter Pie Crust Recipe
Homemade Whipped Cream:
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Make pie crust recipe according to recipe directions. Find the recipe for an https://www.modernhoney.com/butter-flaky-pie-crust/Let dough chill in refrigerator, tightly wrapped.
- In mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese (ensure it is at room temperature) for 5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides often with spatula. The whisk attachment works the best to whip the cream cheese. See notes for mixing options.
- Add pumpkin and mix for another 5 minutes.
- Add melted butter (make sure it is not too hot) and vanilla and mix for 1 minute.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice and salt.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place pie dough in a deep-dish pie pan.
- Pour pumpkin pie filling into pie crust and place pie plate on baking sheet. Depending on the size of your pie pan, you may have some extra filling.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 42 – 48 minutes. Watch the crust carefully to make sure it isn't becoming too brown. Cover with pie cover or foil to prevent browning. See NOTES below for more details.
- Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Then, let chill in refrigerator for 4 hours.
- Top with freshly whipped cream.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Click the links below for more pie recipes:
Caramel Apple Pie
White Chocolate Macadamia Chocolate Ganache Pie
Double Chocolate Marble Pie
The BEST Pumpkin Pie
Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie
Sweet Cherry Pie
Traditional Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Caramel Banana Cream Pie
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Happy Baking, my friends! Find all of Modern Honey Thanksgiving Recipes on www.modernhoney.com/thanksgiving.
I do not like typical pumpkin pie. It’s so plain and boring. This is my pie now! This is my kids’ pie now! I did mine with graham cracker crust which I knew would add to the sweetness so I did your minimum recommended powdered sugar and that worked out perfect for me! I wish I didn’t forget to make whipped cream but it was still perfect even without. You are a genius for this recipe. My pie was beautiful, even, and a lovely golden color. I have zero complaints, except that I didn’t double the recipe.
I’m not sure if I’ve commented on this before, but this is the only pumpkin pie recipe I have used for at least the last couple years and it. is. AMAZING. I always get so many compliments and there are never any pieces left! I’m staying up late the night before Thanksgiving letting it cool and I can smell the deliciousness all the way in the living room. Wonderful recipe!!
WOW, this is fantastic! My wife does not care for pumpkin pie, (Well she likes cool whip with a pumpkin pie center.) but this recipe is great. It tastes like it already has the whipped topping in it!
I don’t have a deep pie dish. Is that a problem. Or does that mean I’ll just have extra filling left over?
Hi Corrie! No problem at all! You will have extra filling for sure. You can always make these mini pumpkin pie bites if you have mini muffin tins with the leftover filling — https://www.modernhoney.com/mini-pumpkin-pie-bites/ Hope you love the pumpkin pie!
Does this pie have to be refrigerated , not left out on counter like most pies , including traditional pumpkin pie??
Hi Claudia, I’m Amy. I’m making this for the first time also. There are some notes under the recipe that instruct in this. Hope this helps. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Amy! You are so right! I try to add notes to my recipes as questions come in so everyone can see them. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Claudia! This pie needs to be refrigerated. I like to bake it, leave it at room temperature for about 1 hour, and then place in the refrigerator for at least four hours before serving. This allows the pumpkin pie to set up and the filling to firm up in the center. I hope this helps!
I made this pie for thanksgiving. I put it in a deep dish pie dish. I still had some left over so I made a little one to taste it. It did poof up like some of the comments and then after it cooled it sat back down to normal. I cooked it an extra 5 minutes cause it was still jiggley. I wasn’t sure if it’s supposed to be that way when u take it out and maybe it sets in the fridge like a cheesecake. The top has some brown spots so not sure if that means it’s over cooked. It also has some cracks. Is that how it should be? Or do u take it out of the oven still jiggley and let it set in the fridge. Does it not fall in the middle. In all I have to say that is the tastiest pumpkin pie I’ve ever eaten. I’d love some tips on how to get it perfect next time. I am definitely making it again. Delicious
Hi Maria! You are right…it will slightly jiggle in the center when you take it out. It will firm up once it chills in the refrigerator. Because of the creaminess of the filling, it needs time to chill to allow it to set up. Sometimes pumpkin pies crack in the center when they are slightly overbaked. I hope this helps!
Can you please add to the instructions on when you know the pie is done baking?
Hi Naomi! I have further notes on this subject in the notes section of the recipe card but you will know when there is a slight jiggle in the center but the filling overall looks baked. If it is overcooked, it may start to crack down the center so watch this one carefully. The filling will firm up in the refrigerator. I hope this helps!
Can I use homemade pumpkin purée or does it need to be canned
Hi Eva! I haven’t tried it with homemade pumpkin puree but I bet it would be wonderful. The only issue would be the water content of the homemade pumpkin puree so you could always strain it. I hope it works beautifully!
Can I freeze the extra filling?
Hi Charlene! I haven’t tried it yet but I bet it would freeze well. The cream cheese could separate but you could always throw it into a blender or use an immersion blender to puree it. I hope that helps!
Confirming- you do NOT blind bake first?
Hi Cheyenne! You don’t need to blind bake the crust first. 🙂